Cardinals vs. Texans Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Dameon Pierce Boost Houston in Return?
The Houston Texans are one of the hottest teams in the league, and get their top RB back this weekend. Can Dameon Pierce help lift the Texans over the Cardinals and extend the win streak? Jason Radowitz provides his analysis and pick in Cardinals vs. Texans.
Jason Radowitz - November 15, 2023, 9:20 AM EST
5 minCardinals vs. Texans Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can C.J. Stroud Keep Houston In Playoff Contention?
Houston's C.J. Stroud is the favorite for the NFL's Rookie of the Year Award. He's thrown for over 2,600 yards with 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions in nine games this season.
His stats certainly blow away the all of this year's rookies. But his stats are also comparable to some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season.
Stroud has the Texans over .500 with a chance at playing in the playoffs this year. The Texans are certainly on notice after a win against the Bengals. They'll take on the Arizona Cardinals, who returned Kyler Murray and James Conner to the offensive starting lineup last weekend.
The Cardinals added their second win with those two back on the field. Will they stun Houston on the road on Sunday?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans.
Cardinals vs. Texans Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: November 19, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Cardinals vs. Texans Odds
- Spread: Cardinals +4 (-110), Texans -4 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 47.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Cardinals (+160), Texans (-195)
Cardinals vs. Texans Injury Report
Cardinals
Questionable: LB Ezekiel Turner (Hamstring), OL D.J. Humphries (Anke), RB Emari Demercado (Toe), C Trystan Colon (Calf)
Out: TE Zach Ertz (Quadricep)
Texans
Questionable: LB Henry To'oto'o (Concussion), S Jimmie Ward (Hamstring), RB Dameon Pierce (Ankle), TE Brevin Jordan (Foot)
Out: LB Denzel Perryman (Suspension), K Ka'imi Fairbairn (Quadricep), S Eric Murray (Knee), DT Hassan Ridgeway (Achilles)
Cardinals vs. Texans Prediction
The expectation is that the Cardinals and Texans have solid second halves.
The Cardinals just returned QB Kyler Murray and RB James Conner to the starting lineup. The offense will be much better with those two around.
Murray didn't throw a touchdown last weekend, but he added nearly 250 yards passing and has plenty of exciting targets, including tight end Trey McBride, who saw double-digits in targets the previous weekend.
Meanwhile, James Conner missed a lot of time and still leads the Cardinals in rushing yards this season.
Houston's defense has allowed nearly 250 yards in the air and another 93.56 yards on the ground. They've missed many tackles and aren't that great against the run this season.
Houston's secondary is what's holding the defense together. However, Murray showed he could escape the pocket when nothing was downfield. So the Cardinals have that going for them.
Meanwhile, the Texans are averaging over 24 points per game this year. Stroud and the passing game has earned nearly 275 yards passing, with over 98 yards on the ground.
Dameon Pierce has been absent from the lineup over the last few weeks. However, Devin Singletary has looked good with extra reps. With Pierce likely back this weekend, the duo of Singletary and Pierce should be beneficial, knowing Nico Collins is expected to return at wide receiver for the Texans.
Houston has had so much success over the last two games, scoring at least 30 points in each one. But that was without Pierce and Collins, who figured to be the two top performers for the offense.
They'll take on a Cardinals defense that has been below average in almost every defensive category. The secondary has been awful, along with the run game that has allowed over 134 yards per game this year.
Arizona's pass rush has been better, but Houston's offensive line is holding up well.
I'll back the Texans -4 in this battle.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans Pick
- Texans -4 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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